Who will be crowned king of the street? Since 2005, the Vendy Awards have presented a coveted cup to New York's top street food vendor. Two years ago, the competition expanded to Los Angeles and Philadelphia. And on Wednesday, March 13, New Orleans gets its own Vendy Awards.

Nine finalists will put their best plates forward. The competitors range from fashionable trucks, like Taceaux Loceaux with its "nolamex" fare and Empanada Intifada, to stalwarts of festivals and second lines, such as Vaucresson's Sausage Company and Ms. Linda's Soul Food Catering.

The Vendy Awards benefit Slow Food NOLA and the New Orleans Food Truck Coalition. The competition is run by the Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center.

"New Orleans is one of the cities that has the most vibrant street culture," said Helena Tubis, managing director of the Vendy Awards. "It also has a lot of diversity on the street."

Tubis said that, if all goes well, this will be the first annual New Orleans Vendy Awards. Hosting the awards is a way for the organization to learn how they can help local street vendors. In New York, for example, the Street Vendor Project recently worked to decrease the fines on vendors, who in that city on average earn only $18,000 a year.

"We are working on building a national coalition of street vendors," Tubis said. She noted that many older cities like New Orleans have what she called "antiquated" laws that severely restrict street food. "We like being in places where it's hard and there is work to be done in supporting the vendors."

The New Orleans Vendy Awards are part of the Brooklyn Brewery Mash, a 6-day series of dinners, tastings and dance parties sponsored by New York's Brooklyn Brewery.

The New Orleans Vendy Awards will be held at the French Market (1008 N. Peters St.) from 7–10 p.m. General admission tickets are $24, which include a sample from each vendor and three Brooklyn Beers. Premium tickets, which cost $36, include unlimited beer. General admission and premium ticket holders can vote for a People's Taste award winner. A $6 "pay as you go" ticket is also available, which only covers admission and one beer or water. With that lower priced ticket, all food must be purchased individually. For more information, visit streetvendor.org/vendys.